The Spiritual Director of Okunerere Adoration Ministry, Nsukka, Enugu State, Rev Fr. Prof. Paul Obayi, Monday read the law to provide legal services pro bono to the voiceless in society.
Fr. Obayi, a professor of New Media and Development Communication, said he had always dreamt of becoming a lawyer and thanked God for seeing him through the rigours of law school.
Quoting him, “God is a lawyer. Jesus is a lawyer. The Holy Spirit is a lawyer. Who has asked Jesus any question and won him? When he was asked about writing, he started writing. People began to wonder if he went to school. When he was asked the power he operates with, he asked them by whose powers their sons operate. Jesus said when I leave you, I will send you an advocate. I’m now an advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“My mentor is St. Paul. He was highly learned. Peter wrote one book through Mark. Paul wrote 13 epistles. Jude wrote only one. Paul is a disciple of Gamaliel, the teacher of law. So Paul is a lawyer. My name is Paul. There is no part of the world I have not toured. In Nsukka, there is no community that I haven’t gone to.”
On whether he is a controversial priest, Barr Obayi said, “Being controversial depends. I am a gentleman. I don’t make trouble. But what will I do when I am confronted? Whatever confronts me becomes my age mate. When it comes, you stay to resolve it either through boxing or dialogue.
“We try to register our rights. If it is a privilege, let us know. If it is intimidation, allow us to yawn for the world to hear. We are systematic and respectful. We try at times to assert that this is our right; it is not a privilege. Many don’t know we know the law to address some things.
“However, there are areas we try to operate in the spirit of. In some cases, it is the right of the Spirit that is trampled upon. He will then act using us. People might think we are the ones that are acting. If I operate in the spirit, like during delivery, you won’t understand. The Devil is not a gentleman. God is a gentleman. The Holy Spirit is brought to match the devil’s madness.”
NewsNGR reports that Fr. Obayi is the chief exorcist of the Nsukka Diocese of the Catholic Communion.